The Central London Alliance has successfully concluded its landmark London Sports Festival 2025, a five-month initiative that brought record-breaking participation and vitality to the heart of the capital.
A City Transformed by Sport
Running from 22nd May to 2nd December 2025, the festival, delivered by the Central London Alliance (CLA) with headline partner Blue Orchid Hospitality, transformed a dozen public spaces into hubs of activity. Iconic locations such as Guildhall Yard, St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard, and Hay’s Galleria were animated with sporting installations, alongside hidden streets in St James’s Park and Tower Hill.
The programme was deliberately diverse, catering to workers, residents, and tourists. It featured everything from football and basketball to rapidly growing sports like padel and pickleball. The festival also hosted the UK debuts of padel table tennis and bucketball.
Record Engagement and Key Highlights
The festival's core mission was to increase footfall, support local businesses, and promote healthy living. It achieved this emphatically, recording over 30,161 participants across the capital.
Key statistics and highlights from the event include:
- 13,983 participants played padel across three central locations.
- Paralympians and GB basketball stars, including Ashley Hamilton and Shanice Beckford-Norton, showcased elite skill and inclusivity at Guildhall Yard.
- Corporate challenges engaged city workers, driving footfall on key weekdays.
- Free coaching sessions introduced hundreds of young Londoners from local schools and charities to new sports.
Building a Legacy for London
Founder and Chairman of the Central London Alliance CIC, Tony Matharu, stated the festival proved how creative placemaking can revitalise central London. He emphasised it stimulated local economies, increased dwell time, and united communities.
Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, praised the use of the Square Mile's iconic settings to inspire activity. He highlighted the festival's role in building momentum for future international sporting events, like the Men’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games, cementing London’s status as a global city of sport.
With thousands of weekly participants and strong engagement from schools and businesses, the 2025 festival has established itself as a cornerstone of London’s annual cultural calendar. Plans for the London Sports Festival 2026 are already underway, aiming to expand its reach and continue supporting the capital's recovery through innovation and inclusivity.
For more information, visit: www.londonsportsfestival.com
